Album Review

When Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains rocketed up the charts during the early '90s, many expected such veteran Seattle acts as the Melvins, Mudhoney, and the Screaming Trees to follow. And while all three of the aforementioned bands secured major label deals, none scored a massive commercial breakthrough -- although the Screaming Trees came closest. Having benefited from the inclusion of "Nearly Lost You" on the mega hit Singles soundtrack in 1992, the group did score a MTV/radio hit, but failed to follow it up. It's not to say that they didn't have other strong tracks from this period however, as evidenced by the budget priced, ten track collection titled after their aforementioned hit. But this is by no means a definitive Screaming Trees collection, as it only focuses on their three major label full lengths, 1991's Uncle Anesthesia, 1992's Sweet Oblivion, and 1996's Dust, and completely bypasses their '80s era indie releases. Still, these three albums are probably the band's most focused from a songwriting standpoint, as evidenced by such highlights as the aforementioned "Nearly Lost You," as well as "All I Know," "Shadow of the Season," and "Uncle Anesthesia." Nearly Lost You is a fine intro to the Trees' later years.